Japan`s `Shadow Shogun` Is Slowly Coming Back After Stroke, Conviction

TOKYO — In the almost two years since he suffered a debilitating stroke, Kakuei Tanaka`s role as Japan`s most powerful kingmaker had been in doubt.

Could the 69-year-old former prime minister, who was forced to resign in 1974 following charges he had accepted $1.7 million in bribes from the Lockheed Corp., return to his position atop the ruling Liberal Democratic Party`s largest and most powerful faction?

Would Tanaka, who was convicted of bribery along with 15 political cronies in 1983, ever regain the legendary physical and mental vigor that led the Japanese media to refer to him as a ``computerized bulldozer?``

Those and other questions about Japan`s so-called ``Shadow Shogun`` had gone largely unanswered as Tanaka, secluded behind the walls of his estate in Tokyo, underwent an extensive rehabilitation program.

Now it appears that Tanaka is preparing to answer some of those questions.

Last summer, Tanaka shocked enemies and supporters alike by retaining his seat in the powerful lower house of parliament with a landslide election victory in his native Niigata Prefecture--a feat he accomplished without making a single campaign speech or public appearance.

Indeed, few voters in Niigata were even sure Tanaka still was alive. But they did know one thing: Since his two-year tenure as prime minister and even after his fall from grace, Tanaka had managed to direct an average of $700 million a year in public works projects to his once-poor home prefecture.

``People in Niigata would vote for Tanaka even if he was dead,`` said Yutaka Utagawa, a local businessman. ``They are that grateful.``

Then, two weeks ago, Tanaka astounded all of Japan by appearing on the veranda of his estate to greet the press and loyal members of his 140-member faction. It was his first public appearance in 23 months.

A few days earlier, in keeping with his reputation as the king of patronage, Tanaka had given each of his loyal followers a New Year`s gift of 1 million yen ($6,250) and invited them to visit him on New Year`s Day.

``Uncle`` Tanaka was back. And though the man who rose to Japan`s highest office from humble beginnings as the son of an unsuccessful horse broker was not the same gruff and formidable entity as before his stroke in early 1985, Tanaka appeared surprisingly vigorous, especially in comparison to a photograph of him released six months ago that showed an emaciated, hollow-eyed figure leaning on a cane.

Just as they had done for years, faction leaders waited their turn to speak to the ``master,`` bowed deeply, then expressed their happiness at his remarkable recovery. And as they departed, each of the faithful expressed their amazement at how healthy Tanaka looked.

All, that is, except one.

When former Finance Minister Noburo Takeshita, the LDP`s new secretary-general and the man that most predict is destined to succeed Yasuhiro Nakasone as prime minister, drove up to Tanaka`s estate, he was turned away.

The reason for what has become the ``snub of the century`` dates to a few months before Tanaka`s stroke. With the former prime minister`s political future clouded by the bribery conviction and a four-year prison sentence

(which a battery of 18 attorneys has managed, via the appeal process, to keep Tanaka from serving) Takeshita committed the unpardonable act of attempting to wrest power from the battered kingmaker.

In traditional Japanese political style, it was not an especially iniquitous act. Takeshita`s sin was the organization of a ``policy study group`` to examine ``future directions and policies`` of the Tanaka faction.

Tanaka, a shrewd survivor and ruthless political manipulator, was not impressed by the ornamental language. To his eyes, Takeshita was out to create his own power base with the eventual idea of seizing control of Japan`s most powerful inner circle.

Tanaka flew into a rage when he heard of Takeshita`s breach of loyalty and political treachery, associates later reported. Tanaka`s anger continued unabated for weeks. His daughter even claimed that Takeshita was the cause of Tanaka`s stroke.

``Turning his back on Takeshita in public, like he did two weeks ago, was Tanaka`s way of telling the LDP that Takeshita cannot expect any support from the party`s most powerful faction,`` a Western diplomat said. ``It was a highly orchestrated affair--from both sides.``

There sat the ailing latter-day daimyo (feudal nobleman) on his porch in the noonday sun, surrounded by family and faithful disciples. And here was the despised Takeshita arriving humbly at the gates of the palace, all the while knowing he would not be admitted, but nevertheless determinef to play out his part--the tragic hero who is sent away unforgiven even though he is well-mannered and respectful.

``It was great theater, and Tanaka and Takeshita played it to the hilt,`` a European diplomat said.

But even more astonishing to this nation is Tanaka`s apparent refusal to fade away into Japan`s political netherworld.

Since his brief appearance on New Year`s Day, it has been revealed that Tanaka, though still unable to speak clearly, has learned to use a word processor with his unparalyzed left hand and is issuing directives and orders with increasing regularity. It is also widely assumed that, just as he has done in the past, Tanaka will have a hand in selecting Japan`s next prime minister.

``Tanaka-sensei is a bulldog,`` said Yanosuke Kondo, a longtime supporter. ``He doesn`t know how to quit and if he smells a fight, that just makes him stronger. I think you can safely say that you have not seen or heard the last of Mr. Tanaka.``